Emmanuel Macron used a two-day economic summit in Nairobi to make a strong case for Europe’s continued involvement in Africa, contrasting it with China’s influence and urging African governments to take greater responsibility for internal governance issues.
Speaking in an interview, Macron said he had “strongly condemned colonialism” when he assumed office in 2017, but stressed that Africa’s present challenges cannot be blamed only on its colonial history.
“We must not exonerate from all responsibility the seven decades that followed independence,” he said, arguing for improved governance standards across African states.
Macron maintained that Europe should not be viewed as “the predator of this century,” highlighting its support for multilateral cooperation, legal frameworks, and free trade systems.
He contrasted this with China, which he accused of following a “predatory logic” in the extraction and processing of critical minerals, ultimately deepening global dependency on its supply chains.
Push for financial reform and partnership renewal
Macron stated that Europe aims to support a “strategy of autonomy” for both Africa and Europe, with reforms to the global financial system seen as key to unlocking Africa’s economic potential.
He also called for stronger international financial guarantees to attract private sector investment, a long-standing demand from African leaders seeking development financing.
The Nairobi gathering forms part of Macron’s broader effort to rebuild diplomatic trust after tensions with several former French allies in West Africa.
France’s withdrawal from the Sahel and regional outlook
France ended its military presence in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following a series of military coups between 2020 and 2023.
Macron said France complied with the decisions of the new authorities, noting: “When our presence was no longer wanted after the coups, we left. That wasn’t a humiliation but a logical response.”
He added that France’s deployments in the Sahel had originally been carried out at the request of local governments to help counter jihadist insurgencies.
Looking ahead, Macron expressed optimism about the region’s political future, saying: “A new era is about to start. The Sahel will one day regain normal governance,” with democratically elected leaders who “genuinely care about their people.”